PITTSBURGH \u2014 A demolition order for the long-abandoned St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Liverpool Street has surprised many residents in Pittsburgh\u2019s Manchester neighborhood, uniting neighbors who hope to preserve the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis building is irreplaceable,\u201d said Andrew Moore, a board member of the Manchester Historic Society.<\/p>\n
Moore says that for more than a century, St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church has stood as a landmark in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have memories of Father Jack O\u2019Malley and memories of this church being an anchor in this community and we\u2019d hate to lose it,\u201d Moore said. \u201cIt loses history and a sense of place \u2014 that architectural history and also that history of what this church has meant to the community for over a century.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the church is vacant, neighbors say it is not entirely empty.<\/p>\n
Chloe Page said she has been caring for stray cats that have taken refuge inside the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think every living being deserves to be warm and fed, at the same time, trying to control the population,\u201d Page said.<\/p>\n
Neighbors are now working to rehome the cats before any demolition begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cI worry about the cats being taken care of and not being forgotten in the demo,\u201d Manchester resident Emma Martin said.<\/p>\n
Residents say the potential demolition has brought together a diverse group of community members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe effort to preserve this church has united members of the community,\u201d Moore said. \u201cDiverse groups of folks have come together to champion it and what it means to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The demolition order does not list a date by which the building must be torn down. The order is scheduled to go before the city\u2019s Historic Commission on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n